The Plainsman Press - South Plains College

Timothy Deleon, staff writer

No one’s home. The lights are off. Your heart is beating, and all of a sudden... it happens. You’re not a virgin anymore.

This moment will remain with you for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, this moment never seemed to happen for Andy Stitzer...until he turned 40. The summer’s number one comedy, the “40 Year Old Virgin,” is an adult movie with humor from start to finish. The lead role is being played by Steve Carell. This is Carell’s first leading role in a major motion picture, and I might say it’s about time. You might remember Carell in movies such as “Anchorman,” as Brick Tamland, the weather man, and “Bruce Almighty,” with Jim Carrey. You also might remember him in the Emmy award winning T.V. sitcom on Comedy Central “The Daily Show.”

Directing the film, with previous experience with Carell, is Judd Apatow. His credits include “Anchorman,” “Kicking and Screaming,” “The Cable Guy,” and the beloved T.V. series “Freaks and Geeks.” He picked Carell to play opposite Collin Farell in “Anchorman” gave Judd a chance to truly see what he had to offer to the big screen. Soon after, Judd approached Carell and asked him if he had any ideas for a movie that he could star in. Carell had been writing the script for years and jumped at the chance to be on the silver screen. Carell ended up as the writer and executive producer of the film.

When I say that this film isn’t a family film, I mean it. The previews of the film are just the tip of the iceberg of what really lies beneath. But still it’s one of the funniest movies I’ve seen to date. Within five seconds of the movie’s start, the whole theater was rolling. The audience couldn’t stop laughing until the end.

This truly is one of the greatest comedies of the year. Carell’s character Steve plays a sweet-natured, middle-aged man who gets twisted by his friends on how to lose his virginity. Helping Steve accomplish this task is his co-star David (Paul Rudd- “Anchorman,” “Clueless.”) This character works with him at his job in the film at SmartTech and helps him on his way to the promise land!

This movie also introduces new faces to the big screen such as Romany Malco and Seth Rogen. These guys are also some of Steve’s co-workers in the film who bring even more laughter to the movie.

During the film, Steve gets some good but misleading advice to losing his virginity from his co-workers. He then starts on an unforgettable journey to the goal of finally “doing it.” The leading lady of the film is his hopeful first timer Trish, played by Catherine Kenner (“The Interpreter.”) After Trish walks into Steve’s place of work one day and makes an impression, he was hooked. From there, the fun begins. From speed-dating to clubbing, the adventure never seem to stop as the “40 Year Old Virgin” attempts to become the 40 year old man.

Tim’s rating is five out of five stars for humor and originality.